Alloy.



no. 759cm.

UNITED STATES Patented May 10, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

ALLOY.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 759,617, dated May 10, 1904.

Application filed February 8, 1904:. Serial No. 192,566. (No specimens.)

To a, whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STEPHEN KNEPPEL, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at Scranton, in the county of Lackawanna and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Alloys, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an alloy which is found to be a particularly desirable material in the manufacture of vats, coolers, kegs, pipes, and the various vessels employed in the manufacture, storage, and transportation of lager-beer, but which is also suitable for other purposes.

The alloy is composed of aluminium, Babbitt metal, and zinc; and the most desirable composition for the purpose specified consists of six parts of aluminium, two parts of Babbitt metal, and one part of zinc, by weight. Babbitt metal, as is well known, consists, mainly, of tin, with a small proportion of antimony and a very small percentage of copper.

In forming my alloy Babbitt metal, consisting of ninety-six parts tin, eight parts antimony, and four parts copper, by weight, is first fused in a suitably-heated vessel, and the aluminium is then added, the heat being applied until the aluminium becomes fused. The application of heat to the vessel is then discontinued, and the zinc is then added and becomes fused by the heat of the melted Babbitt metal and aluminium. The resulting alloy is a bright lustrous metal comparatively light in weight and having considerable tensile strength and is very desirable for the purpose of forming vessels intended to contain lagerbeer, such as beer vats, coolers, kegs, pipes, &c. At present such vessels are usually made .of wood, iron, or copper, and these vessels and the beer act injuriously upon one another. The Wood decays, and the iron or copper vessels oxidize, and in addition to affecting the beer a great deal of scouring is required in order, to keep the vessels clean. The beer and my alloy do not act injuriously upon one 111- other, and the alloy is kept clean with comparatively little labor. Its lightness and strength make it suitable for transporting beer.

The proportions of ingredients may be varied slightly; but the proportions above given are found to be the most desirable for the purpose stated: Five or seven parts of aluminium to two of Babbitt metal and one of zinc may be used, resulting in a softer and weaker or a stronger and harder alloy, according as the amount of aluminium is decreased or increased. The amount of copper and antimony in the Babbitt metal may also be varied slightly, an increase in the amount of copper making the Babbitt metal softer and an increase in the amount of antimony making the metal harder. I prefer, however, the proportions specified above as giving the most satisfactory results for my purpose. I do not, therefore, wish to limit myself to the exact proportionsspecified.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. An alloy comprising substantially six parts aluminium, one part zinc and two parts Babbitt metal, by weight, the Babbitt metal consisting substantially of ninety-six parts tin, eight parts antimony and four parts copper, by weight.

2. An alloy comprising from five to seven parts aluminium, one part zinc, and two parts Babbitt metal, by weight, the Babbitt metal consisting substantially of ninety-six parts tin, eight parts antimony and four parts copper, by Weight.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

STEPHEN KNEPPEL.

l/Vitn esses HERRMAN OSTIIAUS, MARGARET L. RUANE. 

